Paper feeding device and multi-function printer using the same

ABSTRACT

A paper feeding device and a multi-function printer using the same are provided. The paper feeding device includes a frame, a top cover, a set of gear chains, a power unit and a set of driving gears. The set of gear chains and the power unit are disposed on a side of the frame. The set of driving gears is disposed on the top cover. When the top cover is closed relatively to the frame, the set of driving gears interferes with the power unit, and the power unit provides a power to enable the set of driving gears to rotate, so as to drive the set of gear chains. When the top cover is opened relatively to the frame, the set of driving gears releases interference with the power unit and the set of gear chains, and the set of gear chains is at a free rotation status.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan applicationserial no. 100143150 filed on Nov. 24, 2011. The entirety of theabove-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by referenceherein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a paper feeding device and amulti-function printer, in particular, to a paper feeding device capableof releasing paper jam and a multi-function printer using the paperfeeding device.

2. Description of Related Art

Along with development of science and interconnection of social network,various electronic and electrical products become indispensable tools indaily life. For example, during working, machines used in officesinclude a computer, a printer, a fax machine, and a duplicator, in whicha working efficiency of the printer, the duplicator, and the fax machineusing paper may be affected by a paper-in function.

For example, for a multi-function printer having scanning and printingfunctions, an automatic paper feeding device is disposed thereon, so asto drive the carried blank paper to enter the multi-function printer toperform printing work or scanning work. Before printing or scanning, auser places the paper at a paper-in device (for example, a papercarrying tray). During printing or scanning, the paper feeding deviceenables the paper to be transferred in the multi-function printer, andthe printing device or the scanning device forms images on the paper.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional paper feeding device. FIG.2 is an internal perspective view of the paper feeding device of FIG. 1.Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the conventional paper feeding deviceincludes a paper-in roller 10, a paper separating roller 20, a scanningroller 30, a scanning module 40, a paper-out roller 50, a first gear set60, a motor 70, a second gear set 80, and a jam removing device 90.After paper 1 is sent to the conventional paper feeding device, afterthe first gear set 60, the second gear set 80, and a plurality ofconnection gears are driven through the motor 70, the paper 1 passesthrough the paper-in roller 10, the paper separating roller 20, thescanning roller 30, and the scanning module 40 in sequence, and finallyis sent out by the paper-out roller 50. When the paper 1 is jammedbetween the paper-in roller 10 and the paper separating roller 20, a topcover of the conventional paper feeding device may be opened, and thepaper 1 may be pulled out. When the paper 1 is jammed between thescanning roller 30 and the paper-out roller 50, the jam removing device90 may be rotated, so as to enable the paper 1 to exit along adirection. However, the jam removing device 90 of the conventional paperfeeding device only allows the paper 1 to exit along a single direction,if the paper exits when the user is in an unclear state, the paper 1 maybe dragged or broken. In addition, the jam removing device 90 consistsof a gear 91, a pulley 92, a belt 93, and other components, therebyincreasing the number of parts and a manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a paper feedingdevice, capable of simplifying a paper jam component and not limitingjammed paper to exit in a single direction.

The present invention is also directed to a multi-function printer,including a paper feeding device capable of simplifying a paper jamcomponent and not limiting jammed paper to exit in a single direction.

The present invention provides a paper feeding device, applicable to amulti-function printer. The paper feeding device includes a frame, a topcover, a set of gear chains, a power unit, and a set of driving gears.The top cover is disposed on the frame. The set of gear chains isdisposed on a side of the frame. The power unit is disposed adjacent tothe set of gear chains, and located on the side of the frame togetherwith the set of gear chains. The set of driving gears is disposed on thetop cover. When the top cover is closed relatively to the frame, the setof driving gears interferes with the power unit, and the set of drivinggears is engaged with the set of gear chains, and the power unitprovides a power to enable the set of driving gears to rotate, so as todrive the set of gear chains. When the top cover is opened relatively tothe frame, the set of driving gears releases interference with the powerunit and the set of gear chains along with moving of the top cover, andthe set of gear chains is at a free rotation status.

In an embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention,the set of gear chains includes a first shaft gear, a second shaft gear,a scanning roller module, a paper-out roller module, a first slave gear,a second slave gear, a third slave gear, and a fourth slave gear. Thefirst shaft gear is connected to the scanning roller module, and thesecond shaft gear is connected to the paper-out roller module, and thefirst slave gear, the second slave gear, the third slave gear, and thefourth slave gear are located between the first shaft gear and thesecond shaft gear. In addition, the set of driving gears includes athird shaft gear and a paper-in roller module. The third shaft gear isconfigured between the first shaft gear and the second shaft gear, andthe third shaft gear is connected to the paper-in roller module. Whenthe third shaft gear is driven through the power unit, the third shaftgear rotates to drive the paper-in roller module to rotate, and thethird shaft gear drives the first slave gear, the second slave gear, thethird slave gear, and the fourth slave gear to rotate, so that the firstshaft gear and the second shaft gear rotate to drive the scanning rollermodule and the paper-out roller module to rotate.

In an embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention,the power unit includes a connection gear, an engagement member, and amotor. The connection gear is engaged between the third shaft gear andthe engagement member, and the motor is used to drive the engagementmember to rotate, so as to enable the connection gear to drive the thirdshaft gear to rotate.

In an embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention,the motor is a stepping motor.

In an embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention,the motor is a direct current motor.

In an embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention,the engagement member is a gear.

In an embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention,the engagement member is a worm.

In an embodiment of the paper feeding device of the present invention,the paper feeding device further includes a bottom cover, in which theframe is assembled on the bottom cover, and the top cover has a firstend and a second end. The first end is pivoted to the bottom cover, andthe second end is adapted to be opened relatively to the bottom cover byusing the first end as a rotation center.

The present invention provides a multi-function printer, which includesa body and a paper feeding device, and the paper feeding device isassembled on the body. The paper feeding device includes a frame, a topcover, a set of gear chains, a power unit, and a set of driving gears.The top cover is disposed on the frame. The set of gear chains isdisposed on a side of the frame. The power unit is disposed adjacent tothe set of gear chains, and located on the side of the flame togetherwith the set of gear chains. The set of driving gears is disposed on thetop cover. When the top cover is closed relatively to the frame, the setof driving gears interferes with the power unit, and the set of drivinggears is engaged with the set of gear chains, and the power unitprovides a power to enable the set of driving gears to rotate, so as todrive the set of gear chains. When the top cover is opened relatively tothe frame, the set of driving gears releases interference with the powerunit and the set of gear chains along with moving of the top cover, andthe set of gear chains is at a free rotation status.

In an embodiment of the multi-function printer of the present invention,the set of gear chains includes a first shaft gear, a second shaft gear,a scanning roller module, a paper-out roller module, a first slave gear,a second slave gear, a third slave gear, and a fourth slave gear. Thefirst shaft gear is connected to the scanning roller module, and thesecond shaft gear is connected to the paper-out roller module, and thefirst slave gear, the second slave gear, the third slave gear, and thefourth slave gear are located between the first shaft gear and thesecond shaft gear. In addition, the set of driving gears includes athird shaft gear and a paper-in roller module. The third shaft gear isconfigured between the first shaft gear and the second shaft gear, andthe third shaft gear is connected to the paper-in roller module. Whenthe third shaft gear is driven through the power unit, the third shaftgear rotates to drive the paper-in roller module to rotate, and thethird shaft gear drives the first slave gear, the second slave gear, thethird slave gear, and the fourth slave gear to rotate, so that the firstshaft gear and the second shaft gear rotate to drive the scanning rollermodule and the paper-out roller module to rotate.

In an embodiment of the multi-function printer of the present invention,the power unit includes a connection gear, an engagement member, and amotor. The connection gear is engaged between the third shaft gear andthe engagement member, and the motor is used to drive the engagementmember to rotate to enable the connection gear to drive the third shaftgear to rotate.

In an embodiment of the multi-function printer of the present invention,the motor is a stepping motor.

In an embodiment of the multi-function printer of the present invention,the motor is a direct current motor.

In an embodiment of the multi-function printer of the present invention,the engagement member is a gear.

In an embodiment of the multi-function printer of the present invention,the engagement member is a worm.

In an embodiment of the multi-function printer of the present invention,the paper feeding device further includes a bottom cover, in which theframe is assembled on the bottom cover, and the top cover has a firstend and a second end. The first end is pivoted to the bottom cover, andthe second end is adapted to be opened relatively to the bottom cover byusing the first end as a rotation center.

Based on the above mentioned, in the paper feeding device of the presentinvention, the set of driving gears is disposed on the top cover, sothat when the top cover is opened relatively to the frame, the set ofdriving gears releases engagement with the power unit and the set ofgear chains, so that the set of gear chains is at a free rotationstatus. Therefore, a user may conveniently pull jammed paper out fromthe set of gear chains, and the jammed paper exits from the paperfeeding device. The multi-function printer applying the paper feedingdevice needs not to have a mechanism used to release paper jam, therebyreducing the number of parts of the multi-function printer, so as tolower a manufacturing cost.

In order to make the aforementioned features and advantages of thedisclosure comprehensible, preferred embodiments accompanied withfigures are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional paper feeding device.

FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view of the paper feeding device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of a multi-function printer accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial three-dimensional view of the paper feeding deviceof FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the paper feeding device removing frame of FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the paper feeding device removing frame of FIG.3.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of another embodiment of the power unit of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial three-dimensional view of the paper feeding deviceof FIG. 3 from another view angle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of a multi-function printer accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partialthree-dimensional view of a paper feeding device of FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is apartial three-dimensional view of the paper feeding device of FIG. 3from another view angle. Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 8, inthis embodiment, the multi-function printer 100 includes a body 110 anda paper feeding device 120. The paper feeding device 120 includes aframe 122, a top cover 124, a set of gear chains 126, a power unit 128,and a set of driving gears 130. It should be noted that in order toclearly show components of the drawings, the top cover 124 of FIG. 3 ispartially shown, and the top cover 124 and a bottom cover 132 of thepaper feeding device 120 of FIG. 4 are not shown, and FIG. 8 does notshow the frame 122 and the bottom cover 132.

Accordingly, the top cover 124 is disposed above the frame 122. The setof gear chains 126 is disposed on a side edge of the frame 122. Thepower unit 128 is disposed adjacent to the set of gear chains 126, andis located on the side edge of the frame 122 together with the set ofgear chains 126. The set of driving gears 130 is disposed on the topcover 124 and assembled with the top cover 124. When the top cover 124is closed relatively to the frame 122, the set of driving gears 130interferes with the power unit 128, and the set of driving gears 130 isengaged with the set of gear chains 126, and the power unit 128 providesa power to enable the set of driving gears 130 to rotate, so as to drivethe set of gear chains 126. When the top cover 124 is opened relativelyto the frame 122, the set of driving gears 126 releases interferencewith the power unit 128 and the set of gear chains 126 along with movingof the top cover 124, and the set of gear chains 126 is at a freerotation status. When the set of gear chains 126 is at the free rotationstatus, a user may easily remove paper jammed in the set of gear chains126.

In details, when the paper (not shown) is jammed in the paper feedingdevice 120, the user opens the top cover 124 relatively to the frame122, and the set of driving gears 130 is increasingly away from theframe 122 and releases the interference with the set of gear chains 126and the power unit 128 along with moving the top cover 124, and here theset of gear chains 126 is at the free rotation status. Therefore, theuser rotates the set of gear chains 126 to enable the paper to exit fromthe paper feeding device 120, so as to release the paper jam, ordirectly pulls the paper to remove the paper from the set of gear chains126 of the paper feeding device 120. On the contrary, after the paperjam is released, the user closes the top cover 124 relatively to theframe 122, the set of driving gears 130 is engaged with the power unit128 and the set of gear chains 126, the power of the power unit 128 maybe continuously delivered to the set of gear chains 126 through the setof driving gears 130. It may be known from the above mentioned that whenthe top cover 124 is opened, the user may randomly rotate the set ofgear chains 126 to enable the paper to exit from the paper feedingdevice 120, thereby releasing the paper jam and preventing the paperfrom being dragged or broken resulting from the paper exiting in asingle direction. Further, the user may directly pull out the jammedpaper, as the set of gear chain 126 is at the free rotation status and arotation direction is not limited, the set of gear chains 126 may freelyrotate, and the paper is prevented from being dragged or broken duringpaper exiting. In addition, the paper feeding device 120 needs not tohave a mechanism used to release paper jam, thereby reducing the numberof parts of the multi-function printer 100, so as to lower amanufacturing cost.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the paper feeding device removing frame of FIG.4. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the paper feeding device removing frame ofFIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the set of gear chains126 of this embodiment includes a first shaft gear 126A, a second shaftgear 126B, a scanning roller module 126C, a paper-out roller module126D, a first slave gear 126E, a second slave gear 126F, a third slavegear 126G, and a fourth slave gear 126H, in which the first slave gear126E, the second slave gear 126F, the third slave gear 126G, and thefourth slave gear 126H are located between the first shaft gear 126A andthe second shaft gear 126B. The first shaft gear 126A is connected tothe scanning roller module 126C, and the second shaft gear 126B isconnected to the paper-out roller module 126D, in which the first shaftgear 126A is used to drive the scanning roller module 126C, and thesecond shaft gear 126B is used to drive the paper-out roller module126D. In addition, the set of driving gears 130 includes a third shaftgear 130A and a paper-in roller module 130B, in which the third shaftgear 130A is configured between the first shaft gear 126A and the secondshaft gear 126B. The third shaft gear 130A is connected to the paper-inroller module 130B, and is used to drive the paper-in roller module130B. It should be noted that in order to simplify and clarify thedrawing, proportions of the first shaft gear 126A, the second shaft gear126B, and the third shaft gear 130A of FIG. 5 are adjusted.

Accordingly, after the paper is sent to the paper feeding device 120,the third shaft gear 130A is driven through the power unit 128, thethird shaft gear 130A rotates to drive the paper-in roller module 130Bto rotate, and the third shaft gear 130A drives the first slave gear126E, the second slave gear 126F, the third slave gear 126G, and thefourth slave gear 126H to rotate, so as to enable the first shaft gear126A and the second shaft gear 126B to rotate to drive the scanningroller module 126C and the paper-out roller module 126D to rotate.Therefore, the paper passes through the paper-in roller module 130B andthe scanning roller module 126C in sequence to perform a printingprocedure, and is set out from the paper-out roller module 126D afterprinting is finished.

In addition, the power unit 128 of this embodiment includes a connectiongear 128A, an engagement member 128B, and a motor 128C. The connectiongear 128A is engaged between the third shaft gear 130A and theengagement member 128B, and the motor 128C is used to drive theengagement member 128B to rotate to enable the connection gear 128A todrive the third shaft gear 130A to rotate, in which the motor 128C ofthis embodiment is a direct current motor, and the engagement member128B is a worm. Through configuration of the worm, a reduction ratio ofthe set of gear chains 126 and the set of driving gears 130 may beincreased, so as to reduce power loss of the motor 128C.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of another embodiment of the power unit of FIG. 6.Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a power unit 228 ofFIG. 7 is similar to the power unit 128 of FIG. 6, here, onlydifferences between the embodiment of FIG. 7 and the embodiment of FIG.7 are described, in which the same or similar element numerals representthe same or similar elements. A motor 228C of this embodiment is astepping motor, and an engagement member 228B is a gear. The presentinvention does not limit forms of the motor and the engagement member,and the user may combine the forms of the motor and the engagementmember according to demands.

Referring to FIG. 3, the paper feeding device 120 of this embodimentfurther includes a bottom cover 132, in which the frame 122 is assembledon the bottom cover 132, and the top cover 124 has a first end 124A anda second end 124B. The first end 124A is pivoted to the bottom cover132, and the second end 124B is adapted to be opened relatively to thebottom cover 132 by using the first end 124A as a rotation center. Inaddition, the bottom cover 132 may have a supporting surface 132A, whenthe paper is sent out from the paper-out roller module 126D, the papermay be placed on the supporting surface 132A.

To sum up, in the present invention, the set of driving gears of thepaper feeding device is disposed on the top cover, when the top cover isopened, the user may conveniently randomly rotate the set of gear chainsto enable the paper to exit from the paper feeding device, therebyreleasing the paper jam and preventing the paper from being dragged orbroken resulting from the paper exiting in the single direction. Inaddition, the paper feeding device of the present invention has thefunction of releasing the paper jam without the additional mechanismused to release the paper jam, so that the multi-function printerapplying the paper feeding device may reduce the number of the parts andlower the manufacturing cost.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the structure of the presentinvention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present inventioncover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fallwithin the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A paper feeding device, applicable to a multi-function printer, the paper feeding device comprising: a frame; a top cover, disposed on the frame; a set of gear chains, disposed on a side of the frame; a power unit, disposed adjacent to the set of gear chains, and located on the side of the frame together with the set of gear chains; and a set of driving gears, disposed on the top cover, wherein when the top cover is closed relatively to the frame, the set of driving gears interferes with the power unit, and the set of driving gears is engaged with the set of gear chains, and the power unit provides a power to enable the set of driving gears to rotate, so as to drive the set of gear chains, when the top cover is opened relatively to the frame, the set of driving gears releases interference with the power unit and the set of gear chains along with moving of the top cover, and the set of gear chains is at a free rotation status.
 2. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the set of gear chains comprises a first shaft gear, a second shaft gear, a scanning roller module, a paper-out roller module, a first slave gear, a second slave gear, a third slave gear, and a fourth slave gear, the first shaft gear is connected to the scanning roller module, and the second shaft gear is connected to the paper-out roller module, and the first slave gear, the second slave gear, the third slave gear, and the fourth slave gear are located between the first shaft gear and the second shaft gear.
 3. The paper feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the set of driving gears comprises a third shaft gear and a paper-in roller module, the third shaft gear is configured between the first shaft gear and the second shaft gear, and the third shaft gear is connected to the paper-in roller module, when the third shaft gear is driven through the power unit, the third shaft gear rotates to drive the paper-in roller module to rotate, and the third shaft gear drives the first slave gear, the second slave gear, the third slave gear, and the fourth slave gear to rotate, so that the first shaft gear and the second shaft gear rotate to drive the scanning roller module and the paper-out roller module to rotate.
 4. The paper feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the power unit comprises a connection gear, an engagement member, and a motor, the connection gear is engaged between the third shaft gear and the engagement member, and the motor is used to drive the engagement member to rotate to enable the connection gear to drive the third shaft gear to rotate.
 5. The paper feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the motor is a stepping motor.
 6. The paper feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the motor is a direct current motor.
 7. The paper feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the engagement member is a gear.
 8. The paper feeding device according to claim 4, wherein the engagement member is a worm.
 9. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom cover, wherein the frame is assembled on the bottom cover, and the top cover has a first end and a second end, the first end is pivoted to the bottom cover, and the second end is adapted to be opened relatively to the bottom cover by using the first end as a rotation center.
 10. A multi-function printer, comprising: a body; a paper feeding device, assembled on the body, and comprising: a frame; a top cover, disposed on the frame; a set of gear chains, disposed on a side of the frame; a power unit, disposed adjacent to the set of gear chains, and located on the side of the frame together with the set of gear chains; and a set of driving gears, disposed on the top cover, wherein when the top cover is closed relatively to the frame, the set of driving gears interferes with the power unit, and the set of driving gears is engaged with the set of gear chains, and the power unit provides a power to enable the set of driving gears to rotate, so as to drive the set of gear chains, when the top cover is opened relatively to the frame, the set of driving gears releases interference with the power unit and the set of gear chains along with moving of the top cover, and the set of gear chains is at a free rotation status.
 11. The multi-function printer according to claim 10, wherein the set of gear chains comprises a first shaft gear, a second shaft gear, a scanning roller module, a paper-out roller module, a first slave gear, a second slave gear, a third slave gear, and a fourth slave gear, the first shaft gear is connected to the scanning roller module, and the second shaft gear is connected to the paper-out roller module, and the first slave gear, the second slave gear, the third slave gear, and the fourth slave gear are located between the first shaft gear and the second shaft gear.
 12. The multi-function printer according to claim 11, wherein the set of driving gears comprises a third shaft gear and a paper-in roller module, the third shaft gear is configured between the first shaft gear and the second shaft gear, and the third shaft gear is connected to the paper-in roller module, when the third shaft gear is driven through the power unit, the third shaft gear rotates to drive the paper-in roller module to rotate, and the third shaft gear drives the first slave gear, the second slave gear, the third slave gear, and the fourth slave gear to rotate, so that the first shaft gear and the second shaft gear rotate to drive the scanning roller module and the paper-out roller module to rotate.
 13. The multi-function printer according to claim 12, wherein the power unit comprises a connection gear, an engagement member, and a motor, the connection gear is engaged between the third shaft gear and the engagement member, and the motor is used to drive the engagement member to rotate to enable the connection gear to drive the third shaft gear to rotate.
 14. The multi-function printer according to claim 13, wherein the motor is a stepping motor.
 15. The multi-function printer according to claim 13, wherein the motor is a direct current motor.
 16. The multi-function printer according to claim 13, wherein the engagement member is a gear.
 17. The multi-function printer according to claim 13, wherein the engagement member is a worm.
 18. The multi-function printer according to claim 10, wherein the paper feeding device further comprises a bottom cover, wherein the frame is assembled on the bottom cover, and the top cover has a first end and a second end, the first end is pivoted to the bottom cover, and the second end is adapted to be opened relatively to the bottom cover by using the first end as a rotation center. 